1896. `The Argus,' Jan. 1, p. 4, col. 9:
"The Ministry did not assume its duty of leading the House, and Mr. Higgins graphically described the position of affairs by stating that the House was `bushed;' while Mr. Shiels compared the situation to a rudderless ship drifting hither and thither."
<hw>Bustard</hw>, <i>n</i>. "There are about twenty species, mostly of Africa, several of India, one of Australia, and three properly European." (`Century.') The Australian variety is <i>Eupodotis australis</i>, Gray, called also <i>Wild Turkey</i>, <i>Native Turkey</i>, and <i>Plain Turkey</i>. See <i>Turkey</i>.
<hw>Buster, Southerly</hw>, <i>n</i>. The word is a corruption of `burster,' that which bursts. A sudden and violent squall from the south. The name, used first in Sydney, has been adopted also in other Australian cities. See <i>Brickfielder</i>.
1863. F. Fowler, in `Athenaeum,' Feb. 21, p. 264, col. 1:
"The cold wind or southerly buster which . . . carries a thick cloud of dust . . . across the city."
1878. `The Australian,' vol. i. p. 587:
"<i>Southerly Busters</i> by `Ironbark.'"
1886. F. Cowan, `Australia, a Charcoal Sketch':
"The Buster and Brickfielder: austral red-dust blizzard; and red-hot Simoom."